Getty Images Once you reach your 50s, you're generally at or near your peak earnings years. If making ends meet is a challenge now, it's one that's not likely to get any easier as time marches forward. Even more than for your younger counterparts, cost control and debt reduction will be key parts of your plan to avoid spending more than you make. Right now is your last, best hope of structuring your life in a way that lets you cover your costs and enjoy your life's journey. With help from these five tips, you can improve your chances of making ends meet in a way that minimizes the impact on the rest of your life. Tip 1: Negotiate your interest rates downward. Interest rates on everything from car loans to credit card debt are negotiable, and if your mortgage is at a higher interest rate than the current average, you can even try to refinance it to a lower rate. Refinancing a home loan will cost you a bit up front, but negotiating lower rates on other debt might not. The less you pay in interest, the more cash you can put toward paying down your balances. You can begin the process with a few simple phone calls. If you've got a great history of paying your debts on time, your creditors will be willing to work with you in order to keep you as a customer. If your payment history is not so strong, it still might be worth your while to make those phone calls and ask for lower rates. If your creditors are concerned that high interest rates may force you into bankruptcy, they might be willing to reduce your rates to help keep some cash flowing to their coffers. Tip 2: Snowball your debt payments. After you've negotiated your interest rates as low as you can get them, line up all your debts in order from highest interest rate to lowest interest rate. On every debt except the one with the highest interest rate, pay just the minimum. On the debt with the highest interest rate, pay as much above the minimum as you can, until that debt has been completely paid off. Once that first debt is paid off, take all the cash you had been paying toward that debt and put it toward the debt that now has the highest interest rate. Repeat the process until all your debts are paid off. Since you're in your 50s, you may want to include your mortgage in that list of debts to include in your snowball. While mortgage rates are low and mortgage interest is federally tax deductible, it's still a principal and interest payment that represents cash you can't do anything else with. Each time you pay off a debt, you free up a little bit of cash that gets you closer to being able to reliably make ends meet from the income you have. Tip 3: Prioritize and cut back your spending. Write down where every penny of your hard-earned income is going. Use a spreadsheet, pencil and paper, or personal finance software like Quicken or Mint.com to get a clear picture of your spending. Once you've got that information, go back and look over each expense and mark it as a "have to have," "want to have," or a "can live without." If you've marked an expense as a "can live without," stop buying it. That simple move alone can free up a decent amount of cash, without cutting back on anything you need or really want. For your other expenses, figure out if there are ways to reduce your spending. For instance, if your 50s brought you new medical conditions, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether generics or older brand-name medicines can treat your condition as well as the newest branded drug. Likewise, we all have to eat, and buying in bulk, cooking for leftovers, and using every bit of food are great ways to keep your costs low while still allowing you to eat the foods you enjoy. Dropping the costs you decide you can live without and getting more efficient on your other expenses will get you much closer to being able to make ends meet. If that's still not enough, then it's time to start cutting back on the things you want but don't necessarily need. Even then, see if it's possible to keep some entertainment in your budget, as it's a lot harder to keep a budget with no fun in it than one in which you give yourself a small reward for your thrift. Tip 4: Put your dependents on a financial diet, too. In your 50, you may well be part of the sandwich generation -- taking care of both aging parents and not-quite-yet-independent children. Continue to love your family and care for them, but do so in a way that doesn't break your bank. For one idea, consider having all the people who depend on you live with you. Multigenerational households aren't all that uncommon and can keep the total cost of living per person lower. Additionally, if your dependent adult children are capable of working -- even at a job that's "beneath" their education and experience -- they should be working or actively searching for work. Even if it takes a while to get them a job in their chosen field, it's easier to get a job when you have a job than when you're unemployed. Employers like to see experience, dedication, and consistent performance, not just academic credentials, and a degree with a job says far more than a degree alone. Tip 5: Use your expertise to your financial advantage. The reason you're near your peak earning years is because you've become an acknowledged expert in your chosen field. A great way for a 50-something-year-old to earn a bit of extra income is to hang out a shingle as a consultant. If going it alone doesn't seem like a good fit, companies like Your Encore are designed around helping experienced professionals find second careers and may be able to link you up to opportunities. Get Started Now Following these five tips can get you to the point where you're reliably making ends meet today and well on the path toward financial freedom for the rest of your life. Perhaps best of all, you'll quickly notice the improvement. Once you're reliably making ends meet, you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders as the financial stress melts away.
Best Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Baxano Surgical Inc (BAXS)
Baxano Surgical Inc, formerly TranS1 Inc., incorporated in May 2000, is a medical device company focused on designing, developing and marketing products that implement its approach to treat degenerative conditions of the spine affecting the lower lumbar region. It develops its pre-sacral approach to allow spine surgeons to access and treat intervertebral spaces without compromising important surrounding soft tissue, nerves and bone structures. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was marketing the AxiaLIF family of products for single and multilevel lumbar fusion, the Vectre and Avatar lumbar posterior fixation systems and Bi-Ostetic bone void filler, a biologics product. All of the Company�� AxiaLIF products are delivered using its pre-sacral approach. It generates revenue from the sales of itsimplants and disposable surgical instruments. It has two distinct sales methods. The first method is when implants and/or disposable surgical instruments are sold directly to hospitals or surgical centers for the purpose of conducting a scheduled surgery. In November 2011, the Company launched its VEO Lateral Access and Interbody Fusion System.
The Company sells its products directly to hospitals and surgical centers in the United States and certain European countries, and to independent distributors elsewhere. The Company also markets its products at various industry conferences and through industry organized surgical training course. The Company has developed and markets two fusion products that are delivered using its pre-sacral approach include AxiaLIF 1L and AxiaLIF 2L+. Its products include surgical instruments for creating an access route to the L4/L5/S1 vertebral bodies, fusion implants, as well as supplemental stabilization products.
AxiaLIF Lumbar Fusion Implants
The Company markets AxiaLIF family of products for single and two level lumbar fusion, the VEO lateral access and interbody fusion system, the Vectre and Avatar posterior fixation systems and Bi-Ostet! ic bone void filler, a biologics product. The Company also market products that may be used with its AxiaLIF surgical approach, including bowel retractors, a bone graft harvesting system and additional discectomy tools. Its AxiaLIF implants and instruments, combined with facet screws or pedicle screws, provide surgeons with the tools necessary to perform a lumbar fusion.
The Company's AxiaLIF 1L and AxiaLIF 2L+ implants are threaded titanium rods, that come in varying lengths to enable one-level L5/S1 fusions and two-level L4/L5/S1 fusions. As they are implanted, its design allows for the separation of the vertebrae to restore disc height.
VEO Lateral Access and Interbody Fusion System
This system features a two-stage retraction method that focuses on nerve visualization followed by controlled retraction. The VEO Lateral System is designed for direct visualization of the psoas muscles and adjacent nerves prior to muscle dissection, and features a full range of PEEK lateral interbody implants and a variety of ergonomic instruments.
TranS1 Access and Disc Preparation Instruments
The Company�� pre-sacral approach requires the use of a sterile set of surgical instruments that are used to create a safe and reproducible working channel and to prepare the disc and vertebrae for its implant. The instrumentation contained in the set includes stainless steel navigation tools and tubular dissectors to create the working channel, as well as nitinol cutters and brushes to cut and remove the degenerated disc material and prepares the disc space for its implant and the bone graft material.
Vectre Facet Screw System
The Company's Vectre facet screw system offers a cannulated facet screw inserted over a guidewire to provide stability while reducing the muscle and tissue trauma associated with conventional pedicle screws. The Vectre system features offer a reproducible posterior fixation option in select patients.
A! VATAR Ped! icle Screw System
In January 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to distribute Avatar, a pedicle screw system. Avatar can be used with or without its implants to provide lumbar posterior fixation. The AVATAR MIS System offers cannulated pedicle screws inserted over a guidewire to reduce muscle and tissue trauma. Extended tabs integrated to the screws provide a pathway for implantation of the rod while minimizing tissue dissection.
Bi-Ostetic Bone Void Filler
In February 2010, TranS1 entered into an agreement to sell Bi-Ostetic, an osteoconductive bone substitute. Bi-Ostetic is an alternative to allografts or cadaver bone. The spongy granules are bioceramics with interconnected porosity that mimic the cancellous bone structure.
Iliac Crest Bone Graft Harvesting System
The Company�� Iliac Crest Bone Graft Harvesting System is developed to aid surgeons in harvesting iliac crest autograft via a minimally invasive approach. Use of autograft, which is osteogenic, osteoinductive and osteoconductive, further improves the chances of fusion success. It provides structural support as well as scaffolding for new bone growth.
The Company competes with Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Johnson & Johnson DePuy Spine, Stryker Spine, NuVasive, Zimmer Spine, Synthes, Orthofix International, Globus Medical and Alphatec Spine.
Best Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Dyadic International Inc (DYAI)
Dyadic International, Inc. (Dyadic), incorporated in September 2002, is a holding company. The Company is a global biotechnology company. The Company has operations at the United States and the Netherlands. Dyadic uses its technologies to conduct research and development (R&D) and commercial activities for the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of enzymes and proteins for the bioenergy, industrial enzyme, and biopharmaceutical industries. The Company derives all of its revenues from the licensing of its technologies, the sale of its enzymes and conducting research and development (R&D) activities for third parties. The Company operates in two segments: the United States operations and The Netherlands operations. The United States segment includes a subsidiary in Poland.
The United States operating segment is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of enzyme products, proteins, peptides and other bio-molecules derived from genes and a collaborative licensor of enabling technologies for the development and manufacturing of biological products and use in R&D. The Netherlands operating segment is also a researcher and developer of enzyme products, proteins, peptides and other bio-molecules derived from genes and, to date, has mainly invested in R&D activities.
Dyadic�� R&D activities focus on its fungal strains and associated technologies. Dyadic uses its Trichoderma and C1 fungal strains in the production of its industrial enzymes. Dyadic manufactures and sells liquid and dry enzyme products to global customers for use within the animal feed, pulp and paper, starch and alcohol, food and brewing, textiles, and biofuels industries.
Dyadic also utilizes a technology platform based on its patented and C1 fungus (the C1 Platform Technology), which enables the development and manufacture of proteins and enzymes for diverse market opportunities. The C1 Platform Technology can also be used to screen for the discovery of novel genes and proteins. The C1 Platf! orm Technology also has the potential of developing and producing other biological products such as antibodies, vaccines, proteins and polypeptides for the biopharmaceutical industry.
Best High Tech Stocks To Own Right Now: Telik Inc (TELK.PH)
Telik, Inc. (Telik), incorporated in 1988, is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on discovering and developing small molecule drugs to treat cancer. The Company discovers its product candidates using the Company�� drug discovery technology, Target-Related Affinity Profiling (TRAP). TELINTRA, its principal drug product candidate in clinical development, is a small molecule glutathione analog inhibitor of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1). TELCYTA, its other product candidate, is a small molecule cancer drug product candidate designed to be activated in cancer cells.
Clinical Product Development
TELINTRA is the Company�� lead small molecule product candidate in clinical development for the treatment of blood disorders, including cancer. It has a mechanism of action and acts by inhibiting GST P1-1, an enzyme that is involved in the control of cellular growth and differentiation. Inhibition of GST P1-1 results in the activation of the signaling molecule Jun kinase, a regulator of the function of blood precursor cells. Preclinical tests show that TELINTRA is capable of causing the death or apoptosis of leukemic or malignant blood cells, while stimulating the growth and development of normal blood precursor cells. TELINTRA has been studied in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) using two formulations. A liposomal formulation was developed for intravenous administration of TELINTRA and was used in Phase I and Phase II studies in MDS patients. The results from the Phase II intravenous liposomal TELINTRA clinical trials demonstrated that TELINTRA treatment was associated with improvement in all three types of blood cell levels in patients with all types of MDS, including those in intermediate and high-risk groups. An oral dosage formulation (tablet) was subsequently developed and results from a Phase I study with TELINTRA tablets showed clinical activity and the formulation to be well tole rated. In June 2011, the Company initiated a Phase II clini! c! al trial to evaluate TELINTRA tablets. In October 2011, the Company initiated an additional Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate TELINTRA tablets. '
The activity and safety profile of tablet formulation allowed the Company to complete a Phase II trial of TELINTRA tablets in MDS. The primary objective of the Phase II TELINTRA tablet study was to determine the efficacy of TELINTRA. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify MDS disease prognostic factors associated with erythroid improvement response rates, including prior MDS treatment, age, gender, the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS), risk, Eastern Cooperative Group performance status, years from MDS diagnosis, MDS World Health Organization subtypes, anemia only versus anemia plus other cytopenias, dose schedule and starting dose. Results from this study show that TELINTRA is the first GSTP1-1 enzyme inhibitor shown to cause clinically reductions in red blood cell transf usions, including transfusion independence in low to intermediate-1 risk MDS patients, as well as improvement in platelet count and white blood cell levels in certain patients. TELINTRA, administered orally twice daily, appeared to be convenient and flexible for chronic treatment administration.
TELCYTA is a small molecule drug product candidate that the Company is developed for the treatment of cancer. TELCYTA binds to GST. TELCYTA has been evaluated in multiple Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, including trials using TELCYTA as monotherapy and in combination regimens in ovarian, non-small cell lung, breast and colorectal cancer. Results from these clinical trials indicate that TELCYTA monotherapy was generally well-tolerated, with mostly mild to moderate side effects, particularly when compared to the side effects and toxicities of standard chemotherapeutic drugs. When TELCYTA was evaluated in combination with standard chemotherapeutic drugs, the tolera bility of the combinations was similar to that expected! of e! ac! h drug ! alone.
Clinical activity including objective tumor responses and/or disease stabilization was reported in the TELCYTA Phase II trials; however, TELCYTA did not meet its primary endpoints in the Phase III studies. Positive results from a Phase I-IIa multicenter, dose-ranging study of TELCYTA in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, were published in a peer reviewed publication. Clinical data demonstrated positive results of TELCYTA in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of first-line lung cancer followed by TELCYTA maintenance therapy. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had an on-going investigator-led study at a single site of TELCYTA in patients with refractory or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma, diffuse B cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Preclinical Drug Product Development
The Company has a small molecule compound, TLK60 404, in preclinical development that inhibits both Aurora kinase and VEGFR kinase. Aurora kinase is a signaling enzyme whose function is required for cancer cell division, while VEGF plays a key role in tumor blood vessel formation, ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients to support tumor growth. These lead compounds prevented tumor growth in preclinical models of human colon cancer and human leukemia by inhibiting both Aurora kinase and VEGFR kinase. A development drug product candidate, TLK60404, has been selected.
The Company, using its TRAP technology has discovered TLK60357, a novel, potent small molecule inhibitor of cell division. TLK60357 inhibits the formation of microtubules that are necessary for cancer cell growth leading to persistent G2/M cancer cell cycle block and subsequent cell death. This compound demonstrates potent broad-spectrum anticancer activity against a number of human cancer cells. This compound also displays oral efficacy in multipl e, standard preclinical models of cancer. TLK6059! 6, a pote! nt! VGFR kin! ase inhibitor, blocks the formation of new blood vessels in tumors. Oral administration of TLK60596 to animal models of human colon cancer reduced tumor growth.
Best Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Cannabis Science Inc (CBIS.PK)
Cannabis Science, Inc., incorporated on May 4, 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treats disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance. On February 9, 2012, the Company acquired GGECO University, Inc. (GGECO). On March 21, 2012, the Company acquired Cannabis Consulting Inc. (CCI Group).
The Company is engaged in medical marijuana research and development. The Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products.
Best Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: StemCells Inc (STEM.W)
StemCells, Inc. (StemCells), incorporated in August 1988, is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of stem cell therapeutics and related tools and technologies for academia and industry. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing stem and progenitor cells as the basis for therapeutics and therapies, and cells and related tools and technologies to enable stem cell-based research and drug discovery and development. The Company�� primary research and development efforts are focused on identifying and developing stem and progenitor cells as potential therapeutic agents. The Company has two therapeutic product development programs, including its CNS Program, which is developing applications for HuCNS-SC cells, its human neural stem cell product candidate, and its Liver Program, which is characterizing the Company�� human liver cells as a therapeutic product.
CNS Program
The Company in its CNS Program, is in clinical development with its HuCNS-SC cells for a range of disorders of the central nervous system. The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord and eye. In February 2012, the Company had completed a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizeaus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in the brain.
The Company�� CNS Program is focused on developing clinical applications, in which transplanting HuCNS-SC cells protect or restore organ function of the patient before such function is irreversibly damaged or lost due to disease progression. The Company�� initial target indications are PMD, and more generally, diseases in which deficient myelination plays a central role, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis; spinal cord injury, disorders in which retinal degeneration plays a central role, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. The Company�� product candidate, HuCNS-SC cells, is a purified and expanded composition of normal hum an neural stem cells. Its HuCNS-SC cells can be directly tr! a! nsplanted.
Liver Program
Liver stem or progenitor cells offer an alternative treatment for liver diseases. A liver cellular therapy or cell-based therapeutic provide or support liver function in patients with liver disease. The Company held a portfolio of issued and allowed patents in the liver field, which cover the isolation and use of both hLEC cells and the isolated subset, as well as the composition of the cells themselves.
The Company�� range of cell culture products, which are sold under the SC Proven brand, includes iSTEM, GS1-R, GS2-M, RHB-A, RHB-Basal, NDiff N2, and NDiff N2B27. Its iSTEM is a serum-free, feeder-free medium that maintains mouse embryonic stem cells in their pluripotent ground state by using selective small molecule inhibitors to block the pathways, which induce differentiation. RHB-A is a defined, serum-free culture medium for the selective culture of human and mouse neural stem cells and their maintenanc e and expansion as adherent cell populations. RHB-Basal is a defined, serum-free basal medium. When supplemented with specific growth factors, this media is formulated for the propagation and differentiation of adherent neural stem cells. RHB-Basal can also be tailored to specific-cell type requirements by the addition of customer preferred supplements.
The Company�� NDiff N2 is a defined serum-free scell culture supplement for the derivation, maintenance, expansion and/or differentiation of human and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and tissue-derived neural stem cells supplement. Its NDiff N2-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N2. Its NDiff N2B27 is a defined, serum-free medium for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to neural cell types. NDiff N27-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N27. Its GS1-R is a serum-free media formulation shown to enable the derivation and long-term maintenance of tr ue, germline competent rat embryonic stem cells without! the ! ad! dition ! of cytokines or growth factors. Its GS2-M is a defined, serum- and feeder-free medium for the derivation and long-term maintenance of true, germline competent mouse iPS cells.
The Company also markets a number of antibody reagents for use in cell detection, isolation and characterization. These reagents are also under the SC Proven brand and it includes STEM24, STEM101, STEM121 and STEM123. Its STEM24 is a human antibody that recognizes human CD24, also known as heat stable antigen (HSA), a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of many human cell types, including immature human hematopoietic cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes and many human carcinomas. Its CD24 is also a marker of human neural differentiation. Its STEM101 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes the Ku80 protein found in human nuclei. Its STEM121 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes a cytoplasmic protein of human cells. Its STEM123 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).
The Company�� Other products marketed under SC Proven include total cell genomic DNA (gDNA), RNA and protein lysate reagents purified from homogenous stem cell populations for intra-comparative studies, such as Epigenetic fingerprinting, Southern, Western and Northern blots, PCR, RT-PCR and microarrays. This range of purified stem cell line lysates includes mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells propagated in SC Proven 2i inhibitor-based GS2-M media and mouse ES cell-derived and fetal tissue-derived neural stem (NS) cells propagated in SC Proven RHB-A media.
Best Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NAVB.A)
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Navidea), formerly Neoprobe Corporation, incorporated in 1983, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of precision diagnostic agents. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� radiopharmaceutical development programs included Lymphoseek (Lymphoseek, Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection), a radiopharmaceutical agent for lymph node mapping; AZD4694, an imaging agent, and RIGScan, a tumor antigen-specific targeting agent. In January 2012, the Company executed an option agreement with Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alseres) to license [123I]-E-IACFT Injection, also called Altropane, an Iodine-123 radiolabeled imaging agent, being developed as an aid in the diagnosis of Parkinson�� disease, movement disorders and dementia. In August 2011, the Company sold its gamma detection device line of business (the GDS Business) to Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
Lymphoseek
< p>Navidea�� pipeline includes clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical agents used to identify the presence and status of disease. Lymphoseek (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection) is a lymph node targeting agent intended for use in intraoperative lymphatic mapping (ILM) procedures and lymphoscintigraphy employed in the overall diagnostic assessment of certain solid tumor cancers. The lymph system is a component of the body�� immune system. The key components of the lymph system are lymph nodes-small anatomic structures that contain disease-fighting lymphocytes, filter lymph of bacteria and cancer cells, and signal infection in response to heightened levels of pathogens. In Navidea�� Phase III clinical studies of Lymphoseek, it detected over 99% of positive nodes identified by vital blue dye (VBD). As of December 31, 2011, Navidea, in co-operation with UC, San Diego affiliate (UCSD), completed or initiated five Phase I clinical trials, one multi-c enter Phase II trial and three multi-center Phase II trial! s ! involving Lymphoseek. Two Phase III studies were completed in subjects with breast cancer and melanoma. During the year ended December 31, 2011, data from NEO3-09 were released, which indicated that all primary and secondary endpoints for the study were met. As of December 31, 2011, third Phase III clinical trial for Lymphoseek in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NEO3-06) was in progress.
AZD4694
AZD4694 is a Fluorine-18 labeled precision radiopharmaceutical candidate for use in the imaging and evaluation of patients with signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). It binds to beta-amyloid deposits in the brain that can then be imaged in positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Amyloid plaque pathology is a required feature of AD and the presence of amyloid pathology is a supportive feature for diagnosis of probable AD. Patients who are negative for amyloid pathology do not have AD. AZD4694 has b een studied in several clinical trials. Clinical studies through Phase IIa have included more than 80 patients to date, both suspected AD patients and healthy volunteers. No significant adverse events have been observed. Results suggest that AZD4694 has the ability to image patients quickly and safely with high sensitivity.
RadioImmunoGuided Surgery
As of December 31, 2011, RIGScan had been studied in a number of clinical trials, including Phase III studies. Navidea has conducted two Phase III studies, NEO2-13 and NEO2-14, of RIGScan in patients with primary and metastatic colorectal cancer, respectively. Both studies were multi-institutional involving cancer treatment institutions in the United States, Israel, and the European Union.
The Company competes with Pharmalucence, Eli Lilly, Bayer Schering, General Electric and GE Healthcare.
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